Amit Shah Holds TMC Responsible for Deadly Kolkata Fire, Citing Graft and Negligence
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, alleging that the devastating fire at an Anandapur warehouse in Kolkata, which claimed at least 25 lives, was a direct result of institutionalised corruption and criminal negligence. Speaking at a Karyakarta Sammelan in Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas district, Shah asserted that the incident was not an accident but stemmed from systemic failures under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration.
Shah Questions Delay in Arrests and Administrative Lapses
In his address, Shah pointedly questioned why the owner of Wow! Momo, the company operating the factory, has not been arrested despite the tragedy. He highlighted alleged connections and foreign trips, demanding accountability. Shah criticised the fire minister for visiting the site only after 32 hours, underscoring what he termed a complete administrative failure. He further alleged that the factory lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and was constructed on wetland, violating regulations.
Shah emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that the godown was locked during the fire, leading to people being burnt alive. He accused the TMC government of attempting to cover up the matter, but vowed that the BJP would investigate thoroughly if it comes to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Broader Allegations of Corruption and Infiltration
Expanding his critique, Shah linked the fire incident to broader issues plaguing West Bengal. He condemned the cut money culture, alleged scams in education, municipal recruitment, ration distribution, and MGNREGA, as well as what he called the dadagiri of bhatija, referring to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. Shah stated that these practices have become an industry in the state, eroding governance and public trust.
On the issue of national security, Shah welcomed a recent Calcutta High Court verdict directing the state government to hand over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) by March 31 for border fencing. He alleged that infiltration through Bengal poses a significant threat and accused Mamata Banerjee of non-cooperation, claiming that infiltrators serve as her votebank. Shah warned that even if land is not provided by the deadline, a BJP-led government would complete the fencing within 35 days by April-end.
Political Context and Electoral Promises
With Assembly elections looming, Shah outlined the BJP's political trajectory in Bengal, from winning three seats in 2016 to over 70 in 2021. He confidently predicted that the party would secure all seats in north Bengal in the 2026 elections. His speech positioned the fire tragedy as a focal point in the BJP's campaign against the TMC, framing it as emblematic of larger governance failures.
This incident has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with Shah's allegations likely to influence public discourse in the run-up to the polls. The focus remains on accountability for the fire and broader systemic reforms to address corruption and negligence.
